USS Constitution Museum

Meet Captain Jack Percival – The Man Behind the Voyage. Born in Barnstable, MA, Captain John "Mad Jack" Percival (1779-1862) was a fearless U.S. Navy officer who fought in the Quasi-War with France, the War of 1812, and later commanded USS CONSTITUTION on her historic voyage around the world. Captain Percival took "Old Ironsides" across 52,000 miles, navigating international waters and shaping America’s presence abroad. Join us tomorrow for Sailing Through History, a live, half-hour YouTube session with the Museum’s historian. Explore Percival’s leadership and the impact of the voyage, and bring your questions for the Q&A. LIVE on YouTube | March 12 at 12:30 PM ET Set a notification to watch here: https://bit.ly/3FfCvjH #USSConstitution #OldIronsides #MaritimeHistory #NavyHistory #USNavy #AmericasNavy250 #Navy250 #Boston #CapeCod #LeaderSHIP

Set Sail into History – LIVE on YouTube From 1844 to 1846, USS CONSTITUTION embarked on an incredible world cruise, traveling over 52,000 miles and visiting 24 ports across Asia, Africa, and South America. Led by Captain John Percival, this journey showcased the U.S. Navy on a global stage, shaping international relations and American maritime history. Want to learn more? Join us for Sailing Through History, a live, half-hour session with the Museum’s historian on YouTube. Delve into Constitution’s remarkable journey and bring your questions for a live Q&A. LIVE on YouTube | March 12 at 12:30 PM ET Set a notification & watch here: https://bit.ly/3FfCvjH #USSConstitution #SailingThroughHistory #MaritimeHistory #OldIronsides #Boston #USNavy #AmericasNavy250 Credit: Nineteenth century print of an unknown warship in Honolulu. [USS Constitution Museum Collection]

In 1844, USS CONSTITUTION set out to circumvent the globe, representing the United States on the global stage. Join us on March 12, on YouTube Live as we recount that journey, share untold stories, and answer your questions. ???? ? Sailing Through History is a new virtual series led by the Museum’s public historian, Carl Herzog. He'll take a quick but powerful dive into the moments that shaped USS CONSTITUTION’s legacy, followed by a real-time Q&A where the community steers the conversation. Discover why "Old Ironsides" captures the imagination—one story at a time. Be part of the conversation on March 12 at 12:30 PM ET: https://bit.ly/40lvzbI #Boston #Navy250 #AmericasNavy250 #NavalHistory #Maritime #AmericanHistory

Boom! Just like that it's the first Monday in March! ???? ? #OldIronsides #LeaderSHIP #Boston #AmericasNavy250 #USNavy ?? USS Constitution, 2020. Photo by Seaman Apprentice Alec Kramer. Courtesy U.S. Navy

#OnThisDay in 1880, Captain Francis H. Baker died. Baker was promoted to captain on November 30, 1878 and took command of CONSTITUTION at Philadelphia on August 2, 1879. At the time the ship was an apprentice boy training vessel. He was a sick man, however, and soon requested sick leave, transferring to the Naval Hospital at Brooklyn on September 25. ? ???? #MeetTheCommander #OldIronsides #Navy250 #AmericasNavy250 #LeadersSHIP ?? Lieutenant Commander Francis H. Baker, USN. Photo taken circa 1862-64. Miles and Foster, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, photographer. Courtesy Naval History & Heritage Command [NH 56073]. Public Domain. https://bit.ly/41ycc0N

Rear Admiral James A. Greer, USN was born #OnThisDay in 1833. He served as Captain of USS CONSTITUTION in the Summer of 1877 for just eight days, when his predecessor left unexpectedly and the planned replacement needed a few days to make the transfer. A Naval Academy graduate from the class of 1854, he served during the American Civil War as a lieutenant with USS SAN JACINTO, when that stopped the ship British steamer TRENT and took prisoner the Confederate diplomatic commissioners James Mason and John Slidell, causing a period of tension between Great Britain and the United States. Later, he commanded ironclads ARONDELET and BENTON in the Vicksburg campaign. From 1878 to 1879, Greer commanded USS CONSTELLATION on a voyage to France and USS HARTFORD on the South Atlantic Station. Various shore assignments followed until 1887, when, as commodore, he began a two-year tour of the European Station in USS LANCASTER. Shore duties completed his service. He was promoted to rear admiral on April 3, 1892 and retired on February 28, 1895. Greer died on June 17, 1904 and was interred in Arlington National Cemetery. ???? #MeettheCommander #OldIronsides #navalhistory #Navy250 #AmericasNavy250 #otd #LeaderSHIP ?? Rear Admiral James A. Greer, USN. Courtesy Naval History and Heritage Command [NH 49398], Public Domain https://bit.ly/4kkfFHN

Baboo Sudah of Calcutta, East India, joined USS CONSTITUTION at Philadelphia in 1877 as a cabin cook. Born in 1847, Sudah likely immigrated to the United States in his 20s. He and his wife, Radelia, lived in Philadelphia and had a son named Charley. #CrewofConstitution #OldIronsides #NavalHistory ?? United States Census, 1870.

USS CONSTITUTION proceeded from Galveston to Houston #OnThisDay in 1932. This image is "Old Ironsides" as the ship enters nearby Port Arthur, TX a few weeks later. #Navy250 #AmericasNavy250 #OldIronsides #NavalHistory #OTD ?? [USS Constitution Sailing in Port Arthur], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://lnkd.in/eD3cUuRY: accessed February 23, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://lnkd.in/g6Y3wVK; crediting Port Arthur Public Library.

#OnThisDay in 1849, USS CONSTITUTION made two special deliveries in the Mediterranean. The first was Daniel Smith McCauley and his family to Alexandria, Egypt, where McCauley was to become the first U.S. consul general to Egypt. The second? McCauley's son was born at 9:30 am on board "Old Ironsides!" Get the story: https://bit.ly/41dm4vH Credit: A watercolor & gouache painting of USS CONSTITUTION coming into Malta in 1849. [USS Constitution Museum Collection, 2242.1]

Winter is here at the Charlestown Navy Yard, but it's warm inside at the Museum! Visit us through the weekend to explore the Masters of Miniature Ship Model Show, the LEGO?? Maritime Festival, and an adult-only "Bricks & Brews" ticketed event tonight! ?? ?? Learn more at usscm.org ?